In his first year in MLS, Chivas USA defender Mario de Luna has marked a difference. Not only has he had huge saves that helped the Red-and-White, but he has also been able to adapt to a new league in a short amount of time.

His great performances and hard work with the Goats on the field have lead him to be nominated to the 2013 MLS All-Star Team for their match-up against AS Roma set for July 31st at Sporting KC Park, something that has the Aguascalientes, Mex. native very happy.

“To be honest, I’m very happy that in my first year in this league, I’m nominated to something this big. It makes me feel content, happy to continue working, improving in things that I’ve failed in and hopefully when the day comes, we’ll see what happens,” de Luna said about his nomination.

In what you rarely see in a defender’s career, de Luna has also already notched his first goal with the club and in MLS, helping his team earn a draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at the end of the month of April. In this season, de Luna has already faced several top notch players in the league, so to have the opportunity to face AS Roma would be an even more special experience for the Mexican.

“Aside from playing, I’m very happy, very satisfied for another achievement in my professional life, and to be in the game among the best players in the United States and face a big rival, that’s something huge where you can put yourself out there”, de Luna finalized.

Make sure to vote for de Luna and the rest of the Red-and-White players to the 2013 MLS All-Star Team. How? Click here, send a text message with the player’s last name to 22442, or starting this Thursday, June 22 til Friday, June 21st, send the complete name of your nominee via Twitter using hashtag #MLSAllStar.